Protesting against the ban on meat by the Maharastra government in view of Jain community festival Paryushan, Maharshtra Navnirman Sena took to streets and roasted chicken outside a hall in Thane where Jains had assembled for an event.

A group of Jains on Saturday observed fast in adjoining Bhayander to protest against the failure of civic body in the area to implement a ban on sale of meat during 'Paryushan' festival and some "communally-divisive statements" made by politicians.

Amid the raging row over meat sale ban in Mumbai and some parts of Maharashtra and Rajasthan during 'Paryushan' festival of Jain community, the Chhattisgarh government has also ordered suspension of sale of meat during the eight-day long fasting period and 'Ganesh Chaturthi' festival.

The BJP Government in Haryana has asked the concerned officers to appeal to slaughter house owners in the state to remain closed from September 11 to 19 in view of "Paryushan Parv" which is celebrated by the Jain community.

The latest census data on the population of religious groups, released by the Modi government on Tuesday, shows a 0.7 percent decline in the Hindu population, while a growth of 0.8 percent has been registered in the Muslim community.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Thursday came out in support of 'santhara', the Jain community's centuries old ritual of voluntary fasting to death, and urged the Rajasthan High Court to reconsider its decision of banning the practice.

People belonging to minority communities will no longer have to secure certificates from officials to avail of benefits of welfare schemes, with the government making it clear that self-attestation was enough.

US President Barack Obama greeted Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists across the world on the occasion of Diwali, saying it was a chance to remember that even in the midst of darkness, light will ultimately prevail.